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Bills training camp essentials: What you need to know

10 questions for Bills camp

The Buffalo Bills' 14-year playoff drought has become a tiresome storyline, but another season also brings with it renewed hope that this will finally be the year. If it is to be, these 10 questions will need to be satisfactorily answered by Doug Marrone's team.

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Jamie Germano / Staff photographer

Question #1

Can EJ Manuel succeed as the starter after a frustrating and incomplete rookie season?

Marrone said it himself - the good teams win because they have good quarterbacks. The Bills only won six games last year, primarily because Manuel, Thad Lewis and Jeff Tuel simply weren't very good.

With a full offseason in Buffalo, Manuel should be better, but he has to stay healthy. He has some enviable weapons, so there won't be any excuses if this offense stumbles.

Jamie Germano / Staff photographer

Question #2

How will they cope with the loss of Kiko Alonso?

Alonso was a surprise as a rookie as he finished third in the NFL with 159 tackles, playing every snap on defense as an inside linebacker. By switching to a base 4-3 and bringing in free agent Brandon Spikes to play the middle, Alonso was going to move to the weakside where, theoretically, he would be able to use his athleticism even more.

But after tearing the ACL in his left knee during a workout at home in Oregon, Alonso is out for the season and the Bills have a gaping hole to fill.

Nigel Bradham might get first crack at the weakside spot, but the Bills could also flip Keith Rivers over there and let the battle play out on the strong side. Bradham could be in that mix, along with Ty Powell. Another option is moving rush end Manny Lawson back to linebacker where he played last year. No matter what happens, the Bills aren't as formidable a defense without the Legend of Kiko.

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Question #3

Despite a change at coordinator, can the defense continue to improve?

The Bills made big strides under Mike Pettine last year, finishing 10th in yards allowed and 20th in points, while producing a team-record 57 sacks and ranking fourth in pass defense. However, there were still holes in the run defense as only four teams gave up more yards on the ground, and getting off the field on third down was often a problem.

Jim Schwartz was a highly successful coordinator before a mediocre five-year run as head coach in Detroit, and he should be able to build on the foundation Pettine put in place, though the loss of Alonso is certainly a huge setback.

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Question #4

Will Sammy Watkins prove to be as good as advertised?

Speaking of weapons, the Bills attacked the draft and brought in the most dynamic player available. By trading up to pick Watkins No. 4 overall, the Bills paid a hefty price (next year's first round pick, specifically), and now the heat is on the fleet wide receiver to perform.

It's a lot to ask, especially at a position that can be difficult to learn in the first year, but the Bills need Watkins to be a home run hitter right away, something the offense has sorely lacked.

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Question #5

How will offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett spread the ball among the running backs?

There's a lot of cooks in the kitchen with C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon. Obviously Spiller and Jackson will get the bulk of the action, but Brown was acquired in a trade from Philadelphia because he has breakaway ability.

Spiller (if he utilizes his opt-out clause) and Jackson are both in the final year of their contracts, so they will be motivated to have big years, especially Spiller who could command a big salary on the market next year.

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Question #6

Will the offensive line find the right five-man combination?

The Bills are solid at two spots, Cordy Glenn at left tackle and Eric Wood at center. The other three positions are up for grabs.

Kraig Urbik will likely be at right guard unless someone emerges, and left guard and right tackle will be determined in training camp. Cyrus Kouandjio was drafted to take over for Erik Pears (right tackle), but he still has to win the job.

Chris Williams was signed in free agency to play left guard, but again, there will be competition and he's no lock. Several players, including two other draft picks, Cyril Richardson and Seantrel Henderson, will make it a very interesting month at Fisher.

Jamie Germano / Staff photographer

Question #7

How will the competition at wide receiver shake out?

In the past three drafts, the Bills have picked four wideouts in the top three rounds - T.J. Graham, Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, and Watkins.

With Mike Williams joining the team, in essence filling the departed cleats of Stevie Johnson, and special team studs such as Marcus Easley and Chris Hogan, something has to give here. Graham could be the odd man out, sans a great training camp.

AP photo (via Buffalo News)

Question #8

Is Marcell Dareus ready to grow up and become a dominant player?

The massive defensive tackle has all the talent in the world, and it started to show last year which led to him being chosen as a Pro Bowl alternate. He was tough against the run and even produced 7 1/2 sacks.

But his off-field behavior has become a major problem, and he has to find a way to stop being a distraction. It's uncertain whether he'll be suspended at the start of the year for his off-season arrest, and if he is, that'll be a big blow for the Bills.

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Question #9

How much will Jairus Byrd be missed?

The three-time Pro Bowler was the best player to leave in the off-season, and it will be tough to replace him. It looks as if the Bills will be interchangeable at safety with players capable of playing free or strong.

Aaron Williams had a very good first season back there after switching from cornerback, but the other spot is wide open and several players, including Da'Norris Searcy, Duke Williams, and Jonathan Meeks will be in the mix.

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Question #10

Who will man the kicking positions?

Dan Carpenter was re-signed after a superb first season as the kicker, and that leaves Dustin Hopkins in limbo. It seems his only chance to make the team would be as a kickoff specialist, if Marrone thinks it's worth it.

Brian Moorman was cut last year in training camp, then returned halfway through the year when Shawn Powell flopped. Now, strong-legged Jake Dombrowksi is the competition, and Moorman could be in for another fight.

There is no public parking on the St. John Fisher campus. Shuttle service will be provided from Pittsford Mendon High School, 472 Mendon Rd.; and Pittsford Sutherland High School, 55 Sutherland Street with an overflow lot located at Barker Road Middle School, 75 Barker Road for each practice with the exception of Aug. 9.

On Aug. 9, Mendon High School and Barker Road Middle School will be the primary lots and the overflow lot will be located at Calkins Road Middle School, 1899 Calkins Rd.

Shuttle service begins approximately 75 minutes before practice and ends roughly one hour after. Cost to ride shuttles is $1 for passengers age 12 to 62.

TICKETS

Admission to Bills camp is complimentary, but tickets are required for the seven night sessions on July 20, July 25, July 26, Aug. 1, Aug. 5, Aug. 9 and Aug. 18.

(UPDATE: The Bills announced Saturday that tickets for the first three night practices have sold out.)

Aside from, perhaps, the continued development of quarterback E.J. Manuel, the most popular player at camp this year might be rookie sensation Sammy Watkins. The Bills moved up the draft to snag the Clemson star with the 4th overall pick.

Buffalo Bills safety Aaron Williams takes a few moments to soak up some sun in the parking lot before moving into his dorm room as players arrive for the start of training camp. (Photo: SHAWN DOWD/@sdowdphoto/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson, behind the wheel of his family van, is greeted by teammate Aaron Williams, right, as players arrive for the start of training camp. (Photo: SHAWN DOWD/@sdowdphoto/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

The Bills (0-1) nearly pulled off the unthinkable in EJ Manuel's debut at quarterback, but in the end, Tom Brady did what he's done so many times before. The Patriots quarterback drove his team 49 yards in 12 plays to set up Stephen Gostowski's game-winning field goal with just a few ticks left on the clock.

On Wall of Fame Day when the Bills (1-1) honored their best, EJ Manuel fit right in. The rookie quarterback led the Bills on a game-winning, 80-yard drive that culminated in a two-yard pass to a wide-open Stevie Johnson with two seconds left.

Key stats

Mario Williams had 4.5 sacks, which broke a franchise record of 4 (Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett).

The Bills only had the ball for 3:34 in the fourth quarter, but outscored the Panthers, 10-9.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera is 2-14 in games decided by 7 points or less.

Geno Smith outdueled EJ Manuel at MetLife Stadium, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another to lead the Jets to victory. Buffalo's defense gave up a woeful 513 yards, including 149 to running back Bilal Powell, and the Bills (1-2) fell back below .500.

Key stats

The Jets were penalized 20 times -- a team record.

In the 104-game history between the Bills and Jets, this was the first game featuring two rookies at QB.

The Bills, who gave up just one sack in their first two games, allowed eight against the Jets.

The Bills' defense shined against the defending Super Bowl champs, picking off Joe Flacco five times and sacking him four. Kiko Alonso's "legend" continued with two picks, including the clincher with less than a minute remaining and the Bills improved to 2-2.

Key stats

This was the first Bills win over a defending champ since 1996 (Cowboys).

The Ravens passed the ball on 31 straight plays between the second and fourth quarters.

After an exhilarating win over the defending champs the week before, the Bills (2-3) allowed 37 points to the Browns, including 20 unanswered, to dip back below .500. EJ Manuel took a vicious blow to his knee and was later ruled out for at least a month.

The Bills (2-4) were down two touchdowns entering the fourth quarter, but Thad Lewis -- starting his second career NFL game -- threw a pair of touchdown passes to force overtime. In the extra session, a 30-yard punt return by Brandon Tate set up the Bengals' winning field goal.

Key stats

Stevie Johnson sat out with a back injury, snapping his streak of 48 straight starts.

Andy Dalton passed for 337 yards -- his first 300-yard game in nearly a year.

Cincy snapped a 6-game losing streak at Orchard Park, dating back to 1985.

The Dolphins were poised to notch a gritty comeback win, but a late sack and forced fumble by Mario Williams -- on a questionable play call by Miami -- set the Bills (3-4) up for a game-winning, 31-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter (an ex-Dolphin).

Key stats

Buffalo snapped an eight-game losing streak in Miami.

Carpenter has made 15 straight FGs -- two shy of the team record (Rian Lindell).

The Bills have scored between 20 and 24 points in all seven games this season.

Drew Brees fired five touchdown passes and amassed 332 yards to lead the Saints to comfortable win in New Orleans, though Buffalo (3-5) did hold a 10-7 lead early. Saints' tight end Jimmy Graham only caught three passes, but two of them were for touchdowns.

Key stats

Mario Williams has recorded a sack in five straight games and now has 11 this season.

Drew Brees has an NFL-record eight games with five or more touchdown passes (Peyton Manning, 7)

Jeff Tuel, the third Bills QB of the season, threw a pick six on the Chief's 1-yard line in the third quarter, which turned a chance for a 17-3 lead into a tie ballgame. A fumble returned for a touchdown soon thereafter doomed the Bills (3-6) and Kansas City improved to an improbable 9-0.

Key Stats

Though not at 100 percent, CJ Spiller had 116 yards on the ground and 39 yards receiving.

KC entered the game as the NFL-leader in points off turnovers -- and they showed why Sunday.

The Bills out-gained the Chiefs in total yardage 470-210 ... and lost.

Sal's Three and OutEJ Manuel returned after a four-game layoff, but was overwhelmed by a Pittsburgh defense smarting from last week's embarrassing loss to the Patriots. The Bills only managed 227 yards on offense -- and 87 of those came on a meaningless touchdown drive in the final minutes.

Key stats

Manuel went 22-for-39 for 155 yards, a TD and an INT in his first game back.

The Bills struggled on third down, converting 3 first downs in 14 chances.

A Chris Gragg touchdown in the final seconds was Buffalo's first in its last three games at Pittsburgh.

Geno Smith starred in the first Bills-Jets meeting this year -- but he looked every bit a rookie in Round 2. Buffalo's intense defense pressured Smith into four turnovers and the Bills dominated the Jets on a windy day at the Ralph.

Key stats

Nick Folk's wind-blown missed field goal in the first quarter was his first miss of the season.

After a hot start in Toronto, the Bills (4-8) froze up during crunch time. Two late fumbles -- by Stevie Johnson in regulation and Scott Chandler in OT -- doomed Buffalo in their annual game north of the border in Toronto. Matt Bryant's 36-yard field goal helped end Atlanta's 5-game losing streak.

Key stats

The Bills dropped to 1-5 in games played in Toronto.

C.J. Spiller's 77-yard run was the longest non-touchdown run in Bills history

Tony Gonzalez extended his consecutive games with a reception streak to 207 -- second all-time behind Jerry Rice (274).

This one was ugly. The Bucs scored on their second play from scrimmage to set the tone in Tampa Bay. EJ Manuel tossed four interceptions and C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson combined for only 34 yards on the ground.

Key stats

Manuel had thrown four INTs all season, before tossing four more before the end of the third quarter.

Byrd's 22nd career INT moves him into 10th on the Bills' all-time list.

Bobby Rainey's TD 18 seconds into the game was the fastest in Bucs history.

This game was tied at 3, 10 and 20 before the Bills' scored the final TD of the game -- an EJ Manuel 1-yard pass to Frank Summers with 9 minutes left. Two big defensive plays, an interception by Stephon Gilmore and a sack by Nickell Robey, in the final minutes helped seal the win.

Key stats

4 Bills have at least 8 sacks this year -- first time that's happened in the NFL since 2006.

Brian Moorman played in his 200th NFL game.

The Bills' 94-yard scoring drive in the 2nd quarter was the longest of the season.

The Bills played the role of spoiler perfectly, handing the Dolphins a tough loss that put a damper on their playoff aspirations. The defense starred, sacking QB Ryan Tannehill seven times to set the team record for sacks in a season (56 and counting).

Key stats

This was the Bills' first shutout win since 2011.

Buffalo's defense allowed only 6 first downs and 103 yards.

The Bills put together a 19-play drive in the fourth quarter, by far its longest of the season.

On a sopping wet Sunday in Foxboro, LeGarrette Blount helped the Patriots (12-4) secure a first-round bye and the Bills (6-10) finished the season how they started, with a loss to New England. The Bills kept things interesting in the second half, but two long kickoff returns and a late 35-yard TD run -- all by Blount -- put the game away.

Key stats

The Bills are now 0-12 at Gillette Stadium since it opened.

Blount totaled 145 return yards and 189 yards on the ground.

This is the Pats' 8th first-round bye in 14 seasons under Bill Belichick.